Iceboat conversion kit



June 30, 1964 J. 0. BLACK ICEBOAT CONVERSION KIT Fi led April 25, 1965 United States Patent 3,139,051 ICEBOAT CONVERSION KIT John 0. Black, 18094 Parkside, Detroit, Mich. Filed Apr. 25, 1963, Ser. No. 275,671 3 Claims. (Cl. 11443) over for at least four months of the year. Thus, such an iceboat conversion kit that will make the relatively large investment in a conventional boat far more attractive in that it will render the boat usable during the winter months. The use of such a conversion kit obviates the need for a double investment in both a water and iceboat.

Accordingly, one object of the instant invention is a kit for converting a conventional boat to an iceboat.

Another object is an iceboat conversion kit that is relatively inexpensive.

Another object is an iceboat conversion kit that is easily fabricated from commercially available components.

Other objects and advantages of the instant invention will be apparent in the following specification, claims and drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of an iceboat conversion kit in accordance with the instant invention shown in operative association with a conventional rowboat;

FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1; and

FIG. 3 is a cross sectional view taken substantially along the line 33 of FIGURE 1.

An iceboat conversion kit 10, in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the instant invention, is shown in operative association with a conventional rowboat 11. The conversion kit 10 comprises a pair of laterally extending frame members 12 and 14 made from, for example, extruded aluminum tubing. The frame members 12 and 14 have downwardly depending outboard end portions 16 and 18, respectively, at each end thereof that are bolted together to form a rigid truss-like frame. The frame members 12 and 14 are spaced apart by a plurality of laterally spaced, longitudinally extending, frame members 20, 22, 24 and 26 that are secured to the lateral frame members 12 and 14 as by bolts or welding.

As best seen in FIGURE 2 of the drawings, an outboard runner 30 is pivotally secured to the end portions 16 and 18 of the main frame members 12 and 14 as by a pin 32. The pin 32 extends through suitable spacer plates 34 and 36 which serve to rigidify the outboard end portions 16 and 18 of the main frame members 12 and 14. It is to be noted that like runners 30 are provided at opposite ends of the frame members 12 and 14.

As best seen in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, the rowboat 11 is supported on a pair of downwardly depending straps 42 and 44 made from, for example, nylon webbing. End portions 46 and 48 of the straps 42 and 44, respectively, are secured to the frame member 24, opposite end portions 50 and 52 thereof being secured to a pair of rotatable sleeves 56 and 58, respectively. The sleeves 56 and 58 are journaled about the longitudinally extending frame member 22. Rotation of the sleeves 56 and 58 effects a shortening of the straps 42 and 44 to draw the boat 11 upwardly into fixed engagement with the main frame members 12 and 14. The sleeves 56 and 58 are locked against rotation relative to the longitudinal frame member 22 as by suitable bolts 60, one of which is shown in FIGURE 3 of the drawings.

The boat 11 is secured against lateral movement relative to the main frame members 12 and 14 by a pair of downwardly extending bolts 62 and 64 which extend through the frame members 12 and 14 on opposite sides of a rub rail 66 of the boat 11. a

As best seen in FIGURE 3 of the drawings, a mast support plate 70 is secured to the main frame members 12 and 14 as by a plurality of bolts 72. The 'support plate 70 has a central aperture 74 therein for the acceptance of a mast sleeve 76 which is secured thereto as by welding. A bolt 78 extends through the sleeve 76 to define a seat for a vertically extending mast 80.

The mast 80 comprises an aluminum extrusion of, for example, 16 feet in-hei ght. The mast 80 is supported by a conventional forestay 82 and shrouds 84. The mast 80 is provided with conventional sail track for the retention of the leetch of a sail 90. A boom is secured to the mast 80 in the conventional manner and is also provided with a sail track for the retention of the foot of the sail 90. Suitable m'ain sheets 102 extend between the boom 100 and a snatchblocki104 in the conventional manner for controlling the position of the boom 100.

As best seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, a rear runner is supported on a tiller 112 having a handle 114 that extends into the rear end portion of the boat 11. The tiller 112 is pivotally supported as by bearings 116 and 118 mounted on a U-shaped transom yoke 120. The transorn yoke 120 is secured to the transom 122 of the boat 40 by any suitable means.

A brake having a handle portion 132 and a iceengaging portion 134 is pivotally mounted for rotation relative to the tiller 112 as by a pin 136. The handle portion 132 is pivotally secured to the brake portion 134 as by a pin 138. A downward pull on the handle portion 132 effects counterclockwise rotation thereof, as seen in FIGURE 1 of the drawings, thereby effecting clockwise rotation of the brake portion 134 and digging of a pointed end portion thereof into the ice to effect braking.

From the foregoing description it should be apparent that the iceboat conversion kit 10 of the instant invention is relatively simple in construction utilizing stock extruded and plate parts, preferably aluminum. The components are easily assembled as by bolting. The assembled conversion kit is relatively easily secured to a conventional rowboat or the like.

It is to be understood that the specific construction for an iceboat conversion kit herein disclosed and described is presented for the purpose of explanation and illustration and is not intended to indicate limits of the invention, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A kit for converting a conventional boat to an iceboat comprising an elongated frame secured to an intermediate portion of said boat and extending laterally thereof, said frame having a pair of forward runners secured to opposite end por tions thereof, respectively,

a flexible strap extending under the boat and adjustably secured to said frame for drawing the boat upwardly thereagainst,

a mast supported by and extending upwardly from said frame, a sail on said mast,

a tiller pivotally secured to a rear end portion of said boat for rotation about a generally vertical axis, and

a runner on said tiller for supporting said boat on ice in conjunction with said forward runners.

2. A kit for converting a conventional boat to an iceboat comprising a laterally extending trussed frame having downwardly depending outer end portions,

a pair of forward runners secured to the end portions of said frame, respectively,

a flexible strap extending under the boat and having one end portion secured to-said frame and an adjustable end portion for drawing the boat upwardly against said frame,

a mast supported by and extending upwardly from frame, 1

a boom supported by and extending rearwardly from said mast, I: a sail supported by said mast and boom, a tiller pivotally secured to a transom of said boat for rotation about a generally vertical axis, and a runner at the lower end of said tiller for supporting said boat in conjunction with said forward runners at three triangular ly related points.

3. A kit for converting a conventional boat to an icesaid able end portion for drawing the boat upwardly against said frame,

a mast supported by and extending upwardly from said frame,

a boom supported by and extending rearwardly from 7 said mast,

a sail supported by said mast and boom,

a tiller pivotally secured to a transom of said boat for rotation about a generally vertical axis,

a runner at the lower end of said tiller for supporting said boat in conjunction with said forward runners, and

a brake on said tiller having a handle portion extending into said boat and an ice-engaging member operable to effect braking of said iceboat.

, Science and Mechanics, Build a Surf-Sail-Ice Boat for $40,-C. T. Allen, pages 154457, August 1952.

Nov.t3, 1953 

1. A KIT FOR CONVERTING A CONVENTIONAL BOAT TO AN ICEBOAT COMPRISING AN ELONGATED FRAME SECURED TO AN INTERMEDIATE PORTION OF SAID BOAT AND EXTENDING LATERALLY THEREOF, SAID FRAME HAVING A PAIR OF FORWARD RUNNERS SECURED TO OPPOSITE END PORTIONS THEREOF, RESPECTIVELY, 